Safe Drinking Water for 80,000 Children in Bolivia

Dear friends and supporters,

As a previous donor to projects of the SODIS Foundation, you may be interested in an exciting initiative we are involved: The Rockefeller Foundation, GlobalGiving and InnoCentive are continuing their Global Giveback Challenge (http://blog.globalgiving.org/2012/02/02/global-giveback-funding-challenge/) to find solutions to water-related problems in developing countries. A project of the SODIS Foundation, related to the development of a low-cost radiation indicator ("SODIS indicator"), is one of only four projects which have been selected at global level, and we are truly excited about this opportunity.

Between now and February 29, all donations received through www.globalgiving.org/7089 to our project will be matched by 200%! That is, for each dollar donated, our sponsors will add two more, thus tripling the amount you donate. We think this is a great opportunity to achieve a great impact and support this important initiative further. Please be aware that matching funds are limited, so act quickly (availability of matching funds can be checked here).

Please share this information with friends and families who may be interested in making a donation or just in spreading the word.

Best regards,
Matthias Saladin

P.S: You can also support our projects by mobile phone (Only works for US mobile phones):

Text GIVE 7089 to 80088 to donate $10 to Develop an indicator for Solar Water Disinfection.

Text GIVE 1905 to 80088 to donate $10 to provide safe water for a child.

Message and data rates may apply. Full Terms: www.mGive.org/T

Links:

• InnoCentive press release
• Global Giveback Funding Challenge blog

Dear Supporters,

As we announced earlier, we are now in the third phase of our project for schools in Bolivia. During this phase, the project will be implemented in 40 schools in Tiquipaya, a municipality close to the city of Cochabamba. Training of teachers started in October and continued until the middle of December. Currently, the schools are closed (for summer vacation!) in Bolivia, and classes will start again in early February with the next phase of the project.

Today, we want to tell you the story of the school named “Floresta Collpapampa”. It’s the first school in Tiquipaya where not only the teachers have been trained in methods to obtain safe drinking water, but also these methods are practiced on a daily basis. Floresta Callpapampa is a school in the Eastern part of the municipality where 250 children go to class of the primary level. The teachers were enthusiastic about the novel methodology which is being implemented by the SODIS Foundation, and the director of the school proudly accepted the challenge to be the first school of the project which can offer SAFE DRINKING WATER to its pupils and teachers. Thus, Christmas was an ideal opportunity to celebrate and to finish the year with many smiling faces.

From the SODIS Foundation, we also would like to announce more GOOD NEWS: User’s of mobile phones in the US can now donate to our project with a text message:

Text GIVE 1905 to 80088 to donate 10$ to our project. Messege and data rates may apply. Read full terms: www.mGive.org/t.

Wishing you all a happy Holiday Season and all the best for 2012,

With best regards from the whole project team,

Matthias Saladin

Links:

• Website of the SODIS Foundation